Whether you knew him or not, Clarence Snyder had an impact on your life if you live in Plain Township.

Township residents are mourning the loss of the man who served as their first fire chief and safety service director and who contributed to his community in so many other ways.

Snyder died last week at the age of 85. He spent almost half those years as a fire department member. He is credited with helping to create the township department by merging four private volunteer departments, and with adding paramedic service.

In a telling detail for The Rep's story Friday, his son, Don Snyder, described his dad watering the Plain Local School District's football fields by hand before automatic sprinklers were installed. This is the kind of work ethic that fueled Snyder's devotion to his community, and he will be remembered with fondness and appreciation in many parts of it, from the schools where he coached football to the Plain Township Rotary where he was active in many projects.

"If he was your friend," former Fire Chief John Sabo told The Rep, "you had a friend for life."